FIVE more players have taken flight and left the Magpies as the recession continues to take hold at the Jewson Stadium.

Jamie Mudge has returned to Tiverton Town, while Nathan Peprah-Annan, Danny Clay, Patrece Liburd and Helder Rodrigues have all been released.

The news of these latest departures comes in the wake of defender Roy O’Brien’s exit and Shaun Brooks’ decision to step down as manager.

Dorchester Town owner Eddie Mitchell held talks with his staff on Thursday evening and it is with huge regret that he has had to take this course of action.

He told Echosport: “I was at the club all night from 5pm to 11pm. I spoke to everyone as a group and held meetings with individuals and unfortunately we have had to release five more players, including Nathan Peprah-Annan, Danny Clay, Patrece Liburd, Helder Rodrigues and Jamie Mudge.

“In Jamie’s case, he has gone back to Tiverton Town where he has been offered a revised package. He did not want to go but he also could not afford to take a cut in pay. It is regrettable that we have had to let him go. As for the rest of the lads, we are trying desperately to find other clubs for them to go to.

“I cannot be 100 per cent sure that no one else will go. I have explained to the rest of the lads the situation and all we can do is wait and see.”

Mitchell then added: “The decisions that have had to be made are very tough but I am not frightened to make them and I believe they are the right ones for the future of the club.

“I took advice from Shaun Brooks before he left on how to continue the team so I suppose the decisions that have been taken are based on his advice to a degree.

“It is no secret that we needed to try and reduce the budget and all we can do now is continue with what we have and see where we are at the end of the season.

“At the moment we have got one out on loan that we cannot call back and several injuries so we are going to be up against it today against Eastleigh that is for sure but I have got faith in the lads that are still here.

“I am not used to going backwards and find it hard, so I will be doing my utmost to make sure the club begins moving forward again as soon as possible.”

One positive piece of news that has lifted Mitchell’s spirits is that a couple of former players have offered their services for free to help the club out of its current plight.

Mitchell said: “I have had a few former players that have not got clubs at the moment call me up and offer to play for nothing to get their names back in the marketplace.

“That situation is not ideal because players deserve to be paid but if they are available and it helps us out then we may well look into it but no decisions on that have been made yet.”

Eastleigh’s visit to the county town this afternoon is expected to provide an intriguing contest with ex-Magpies Jamie Brown and Matt Groves returning to their old stomping ground.

Dorchester have claimed just five points from their last seven league games, and are currently just eight points above the Blue Square South relegation zone.

Meanwhile, chairman Eddie Mitchell has offered the vacant hot-seat at the Magpies to first-team coach John Donoghue.

Brooks resigned from the role at the Jewson Stadium on Wednesday night and the club’s majority shareholder is keen to promote from within.

Mitchell said: “No decision has been made in terms of the management side of things at the moment although I have spoken to John and he is considering some options.

“He is my preferred choice at the present time and it is up to him whether he wants to take it up. I have offered him the opportunity.”